Tracking Winston: First week of double duty goes off without hitch

The first week of juggling two sports this spring went very well for Jameis Winston.

Winston practiced Wednesday and Thursday with the football team as the defending national champions opened spring practice. He then made the bus trip up to Clemson, S.C., with the No. 2 Seminoles for a three-game baseball series with the No. 13 Tigers.

While Winston missed Saturday’s practice with the football team, he was needed that day to sweep a doubleheader from Clemson.

In the second game Saturday, Winston entered the game in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and Florida State ahead 4-3. Winston allowed just a hit in the ninth to Tyler Slaton but then got Tyler Krieger to ground into a game-ending double play.

It was the fourth save in as many chances for Winston.

Florida State (19-4, 7-2 ACC) won a series at Clemson for the first time since 2008.

"It is about mental toughness and I want to be in this situation," said Winston. "It’s a huge win; a huge win. I promise you we are going to go back to Tallahassee with a smile on our faces."

But before Florida State returned home, Winston had a little fun at the expense of Clemson and Tigers fans.

Winston posted a photo on Twitter of Clemson’s football stadium, saying, "Our house." The Florida State football team won 51-14 at Clemson in October.

Of Florida State pitchers with at least five appearances, Winston has the team’s lowest ERA. He has a 0.69 ERA and batters are hitting just .133 off him. Winston has allowed just one earned run and has 13 strikeouts in 13 innings.

AT THE PLATE

Winston is hitting .211 with three runs scored and two RBI in 19 at-bats this season.

IN THE FIELD

Used mostly as a closer and designated hitter, Winston has played just five games in the outfield. But he has four assists and no errors this season.

NEXT UP

Florida State plays Florida in Jacksonville on Tuesday night. Winston is expected to make the trip as the football team will practice Monday-Wednesday-Thursday-Saturday this week. He will not travel with the baseball team when the Seminoles play at Boston College on Friday-Sunday.